Suspending device.



"- Patented mm, 1900. A. R. GEOFFROY.

SUSPENDING DEVICE.

(Application filed Dec. 19, 1898,)

(No Model.)

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ARTHUR R. GEOFFROY, OF NEW YORK, Y.

SUSPENDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,381, dated January 16, 1900.

Application filed December 19, 1898. Serial No. 699,667. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR R. GEOFFROY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Suspending Devices; and I do hereby de clare that the following is a-full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a device made according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same in the line ac 00 of Fig. 1. Fig 3 is a face view illustrating the manner in which the device is applied to use.

This invention comprises certain novel combinations of parts whereby I provide an improved means for suspending or retaining in position stockings, hose, and other articles of raiment when the same are in usel The article is made of any suitable material, preferably of sheet metal.

A is a flat back plate. At or near the middle of this plate are arms B at right angles to the back plate. Extended from these arms, along each side of the back plate and in planes at right angles thereto, are side walls 0, which are of course parallel, or substantially so, with each other. In the ends of these side pieces are holes a C02, which provide bearings for the pivots or pivotal parts herein presently described. It will be observed that between the end portions b of the side walls 0 and the adjacent part c of the back plate A is a space i a, and that at the opposite end of the device there is a similar space 5 between the end portions d of the side walls and the adjacent part c of the back plate. Pivoted in the holes a of the portions 1) is a lever-plate D, which has at right angles, or substantially so, to its main length a gripping-lip e, the edge of which is preferably serrated to increase its holding action when the device is in use. Normally the lever-plate D lies nearly parallel with and upon the inner face of the back plate, with its gripping-lip nearly or quite at right angles to and in juxtaposition with the adjacent end portion of the back plate. At the opposite end of the device and pivoted in the holes 01. of the side walls is a swinging plate E, which, like the lever-plate D, has at right angles, or

practically so to its length, a gripping-lip f. Normally--that is to say, when the device is in use-the swinging plate lies over and upon the lever-plate, with its gripping-lip fat right angles, or substantially so, to the adjacent portion of the back plate.

In applying the device to use the swinging plate is turned backward to bring its gripping-lip f away from the back plate and at the same time release the lever-plate. This done, the lever-plate is turned outward to bring its gripping-lip e away from the adjacent surface of the back plate. The fabric or article of raiment (indicated at F) from which the device is itself to be suspended is then inserted through the space a in such position that by bringing the lever-plate back to its normal position the fabric is firmly gripped between the edge of the gripping-lip e of the lever-plate and the adjacent surface of the back plate. A portion of the fabric or article of raiment (indicated at G) to be sus pended-for example, a stockingis then inserted through the space 5 between the grip ping-lip f of the swinging plate and the adjacent surface of the back plate, whereupon the swinging plate is turned to bring it over and upon the lever-plate and parallel with the back plate, as described, thereby gripping the suspended fabric between the grippinglip of the swinging plate and the adjacent end portion of the back plate. By this means the suspended article of raiment is firmly connected with the suspending article of raiment and is at the same time capable of easy separation from one or both of them by facile detachment of one or both ends of the device from one or the other, or both, of the articles.

It is to be observed that in the approved construction of the device the back plate, the side walls, and the arms which connect the two are made integral from one piece of sheet metal, and that the pivotal connections of the lever-plate and swinging plate with the ends of the side walls may be most conveniently provided by studs 0, formed integral with their respective plates and proportioned to work in the holes a a provided in the end portions of the back plate. Of course, when desired, the position of the device when in use may be the reverse, the swinging plate being used to grip upon the suspending fab-v the lever-plate to grip upon that which is susing lip, the said plates being pivoted in the pended from the device. outer ends of the side walls and the swinging What I claim as my invention is plate arranged to lie upon the lever-plate 5 The combination with the back plate havwhen in normal or operative position, sub 15 ing arms, B, at or near its middle and side stantially as herein set forth. Walls extended in opposite directions from ARTHUR R. GEOFFROY. the arms with spaces between the side walls Witnesses: and the adjacent portions of the back plate, J. A. WHITNEY,

10 of the lever-plate having a gripping-lip, c, A. F. ROUSSEL.

ric from which the device is suspended and and the swinging plate having a correspond- 

